“Trying to save one life at a time, and trying to accept those that couldn’t be saved,” is what Peggy Kimberling dedicated her life to. For over 25 years, she felt called to serve as an emergency medical technician for the Morrow County Squad, where “she touched hundreds, if not thousands of lives.”
Peggy Kimberling, of Mount Gilead, passed away early on Friday morning, September 23, 2011, at her residence surrounded by her loving family following a courageous five year battle with cancer.
On May 5, 1935, Peggy was born in Kingsport, Tennessee, one of three children of the late Sherman Sr. and Ada (Tunnell) Roberts. She also graduated from Dobbins-Bennett High School in Kingsport, in the Class of 1951.
Putting the needs of everyone before her own, Peggy would wait by the scanner in her EMT uniform, ready to go in a moment’s notice. Running for the Morrow County Squad was “her life”, and most of the time she did so on a volunteer basis while she was also working a full time job in Columbus. She received countless certificates and awards for her dedication to the Morrow County Squad.
When Peggy wasn’t on squad runs, she enjoyed playing cards, scrapbooking and stamping. She was also a member of a stamping club and absolutely loved collecting bears.
Having a huge heart for animals, while Peggy was sick she “frequently spoke about if she could just get her energy back, how much she wanted to volunteer at the dog shelter.” She also shared a special bond and her canine companion, Sasha.
“She will be missed by her family, the many lives she connected with as an EMT, her fellow squad members, and her friends who are too many to be listed, all of whom she dearly loved.”
Peggy is survived by her husband of over 41 years, Harry Kimberling of Mount Gilead; three daughters: Kim Lewis, and her husband Ronnie, of North Carolina, Andrea “Ande” Sulivan of Indiana, and Brenda Kimberling; two grandchildren: Eric Miller of North Carolina, and Jenifer Jern-Freitas, and her husband Celestino “Chip”, of Indiana; two step-children: Steve Kimberling, and his wife Nancy, of West Virginia, and Robin Kimberling of Florida; numerous nieces and nephews, and too many dear friends to list.
Including her parents, Peggy was preceded in death by her brother, Sherman Grant Roberts Jr.; and her sister, Jean Anderson.
Her family would like to express their most heartfelt “thanks to all of the people that helped their mother in her time of need. We have no doubt that Peggy knew Jesus as her personal savior and will be waiting to greet her fellow Christians to their new home when their time comes. She will get to rejoice in Heaven while waiting for those left behind.”
A service of celebration for the life of Peggy and for her reunion with her Lord and Savior will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2011, at the Gilead Friends Church, 3613 Gilead Twp. Rd. 115, Mount Gilead, Ohio, with Pastor Brian Mosher and Hospice Chaplain Dave Matos officiating.
Her family requests for everyone to wear nothing somber, such as black, and instead wear bright, vibrant and lively colors for this is to be a celebration, not a funeral. They also request for everyone to bring a new stuffed teddy bear, which will be donated to one of her favorite charities, Toys for Tots.
Rather than flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Morrow County or to the Morrow County Dog Shelter, and they may be sent to the care of the funeral home.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Gilead is honored to have been chosen to serve Peggy’s family, and condolences may be expressed to them online by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
“He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
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